No longer the stomping ground of Stalin, Russia’s capital, Moscow, has become the latest hip hangout of celebrities, politicians, high-powered businessmen, and other social elite. Everything is set to a mammoth scale here — from the sprawling cities to the unexplored depths of the noveau-riche’s pockets.

Dressing to kill in a bespoke suit, arriving in style in a blacked-out limousine and frequenting the trendiest restaurants and clubs with entourage in tow is all part of the order of the day in the home of the Kremlin, St. Basil’s landmark onion domes and, of course, Russia’s most famous royal pin-up, Anastasia.

So forget what you think you may know about Moscow, such as Rasputin, the Mafia or dodgy (steamed-meat dishes cooked in red-lit restaurants) and take a trip to this vibrant up-and-coming city.

All prices are listed in U.S. funds.

Day 1: See the sights

Once your plane touches the ground and you’ve hired a chauffeur-driven limousine at $3,000 for the three days of your visit, it’s time to make your way to the Ararat Hyatt Park Hotel. There, you’ll enjoy a $15 vodka-based refreshment (what else?) on the 10th floor at the Conservatory Bar while a staff member unpacks your clothes in the $6,938.71-a-night Presidential Suite. As you sip your martini and ponder over why you weren’t chosen as the next James Bond, take in the wavy glass ceiling of the atrium and the panoramic views of Moscow’s historic center through the floor-to-ceiling windows; it’s enough to make a grown man weep.

Next, it’s time to hit Moscow’s jam-packed culture scene and get to know a bit more about the city you’re standing in. The city’s architecture itself is greatly contrasting and reflects the historic changes the city has undergone, so expect to be dazzled. Begin by checking out some of Moscow’s many museums and art galleries, such as the well-known Tretyakov Gallery, situated on the south bank of the Moskva River or visit the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, not dissimilar to London’s British Museum.

For those who don’t see the point of staring at century-old art, don’t worry; take a trip to the Polytechnical Museum, which boasts a vast array of historical inventions and technological achievements, including the first Soviet computers. After you’ve done the whole man-thing and cooed over the toys and gadgets inside, stave off your hunger pangs by grabbing lunch at the Russian eatery, Yar. Here you’ll mingle with Moscow’s national in-crowd, the people to see and be seen with (the food isn’t bad either, and you’ll get to experience traditional fare such as black caviar and herring). Lunch at Yar averages around $500 per person (including a bottle of wine and a 10% tip), but it’s worth it for foreigners wanting to sample Russian food at its very best.